Terraces

Terraces are earthen embankments installed at right angles to the steepest slope to intercept the surface runoff. An embankment usually consists of two parts:

an excavated channel

a bank or ridge on the downhill side of the channel which is formed with the material excavated from the channel [26].

Different types of terraces exist, based on the design and shape of the channel and the ridge. They should be selected in accordance with the local conditions and problems.

Bench Terraces, for example, is practised on areas of steep slope (see figure). Building only walls that reduce slope length is not sufficient here to reduce the power of the runoff. Additionally, it is necessary to modify the degree of slope by half-excavating a channel and half-filling a bank. The original ground will be converted into level, step-like fields.